The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) indicated today that cross-strait peace and development are the goals and direction which both sides of the Strait must jointly exert efforts to work towards in the future. President Chen Shui-bian has mentioned several times that any changes in the cross-strait status quo must receive the consent of the 23 million Taiwanese people. At the same time, we do not exclude the possibility of developing any form of cross-strait relations on the foundation of goodwill. This is the mainstream opinion of the Taiwanese people, as well as the core of the cross-strait policy of the government. The recent statements made by Chinese leaders and other relevant Chinese authorities responsible for handling Taiwan affairs, as well as their attitude shown during Taiwan’s opposition party leaders’ visits to China, have fully proved that China’s policy towards Taiwan is as rigid as before. China has not yet exhibited any substantive sincerity for improving cross-strait relations. There is no sign of China easing its attempts and actions of suppressing Taiwan in the military and diplomatic arenas. China’s enactment of the “anti-separation law” (so-called the “anti-secession law”) has created tension and conflict in cross-strait relations. There has not been any effective solution to improving the situation which has led the Taiwanese government feeling disappointed with deep regret over this matter.
With regard to the conclusion reached by China’s leaders and the two Taiwanese opposition party leaders, the MAC reiterated that the improvement of cross-strait relations and the resumption of normalized dialogue and interaction should be based on the principles of “setting aside differences and having mutual respect for each other.” Unilateral political propositions should not be made as the preconditions for the development of mutual relations. Before any mutually acceptable results can be achieved through negotiations, we will not accept any statements unilaterally defined by China with the embodiment of the “one China” principle, including the so-called “1992 consensus.” We will not allow these statements to become the preconditions in the resumption of cross-strait dialogue and negotiations. The MAC solemnly indicated that China has always been skillful at camouflaging its intentions. China has step by step compelled Taiwan to accept using the so-called “one China” principle to define the cross-strait relations. The MAC reiterated that regardless of how each side of the Strait would describe the situation, if these descriptions do not conform to the basic positions that “the Republic of China is a sovereign independent country, whose sovereignty belongs to the 23 million Taiwanese people, and that any changes in the cross-strait status quo should have the consent of the 23 million Taiwanese people,” the government cannot accept any of these descriptions because of its responsibility to the 23 million Taiwanese people.
As for the options available to future cross-strait relations, the MAC indicated that the Chinese authorities have always ignored the Taiwanese people’s right to freedom of choice due to their lack of understanding of democracy and diverse values. They cannot comprehend the basic spirit of respecting diverse opinions and the people’s right to freedom of choice under a democratic system and they refuse to face up to this spirit. The MAC urged the opposition parties to convey a comprehensive message on Taiwan’s experiences and values in the course of their exchanges and interaction with China. They should not automatically restrict the people’s basic right to decide their own future. This will not only prevent the Chinese authorities from making any erroneous judgment of the situation, but will also enable Taiwan’s political parties to meet the minimum requirements of their roles in a democratic society.
At the same time, the MAC reiterated that the Taiwanese government has made countless efforts to improve cross-strait relations, exchanges, and interaction. It has also made a concrete proposal regarding the creation of a “Peace and Stability Framework for Cross-Strait Interactions” through cross-strait consultations. With regard to certain exchange issues discussed between China and Taiwan’s opposition parties, the Taiwanese government has actually made plans and proposals on the promotion of these exchanges. The government has insisted that any cross-strait issues involving the exercise of government authority must undergo comprehensive planning, assessment, and consultations through official channels. This is to guarantee the long-term and overall interests of the peoples on both sides of the Strait. At present, China is manipulating cross-strait exchange issues through Taiwan’s opposition parties, and has deliberately avoided resuming negotiations and dialogues with the Taiwanese government. This all out united front tactics has again proved China’s lack of sincerity in improving cross-strait relations.